On January 9, 2001, Hyung Chang, a 54-year-old Korean American woman, was tragically killed in a mass shooting in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred at Amko Trading, a wholesale store selling beauty supplies and perfumes located in southwest Houston. Hyung Chang was shot alongside her husband, Chong Chang, age 58, and their daughter Kathy Chang, age 23.
All three were found dead inside the store by Houston police following a violent rampage carried out by Ki Young Park, a 54-year-old Korean American man.
The motive behind the killings appeared to stem from Park’s suspicion that his wife, Byong Sun Park, age 42, was having an affair with Chong Chang. According to police statements, Park believed that his family had been "destroyed" and entered the store brandishing two handguns, shouting that he was going to "murder them." Witnesses reported that Park accused the victims of ruining his family before opening fire. Two customers managed to flee the store, while others hid during the shooting. A police officer responding to the scene saw Park exiting the store with a pistol, but Park retreated inside upon seeing the officer. A single gunshot was heard, prompting the SWAT team to enter the premises, where they discovered the three victims and Park, who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to Ben Taub Hospital but died shortly afterward.
Approximately four hours later, police discovered the body of Park’s wife, Byong Sun Park, in the cooler of a convenience store she co-owned with her husband. Her body was found by their 16-year-old son, concealed behind cardboard boxes. She had been shot in the head. The killings were believed to be driven by Park’s unfounded jealousy and suspicions of infidelity. Witnesses and acquaintances of the Chang family stated that there was no romantic relationship between Chong Chang and Byong Sun Park, and that they were merely business associates.
No arrests were made in connection with the killings, as the suspect, Ki Young Park, died from his self-inflicted wound. The case was closed with the conclusion that Park acted alone in a murder-suicide driven by personal grievances and delusions. The deaths of Hyung Chang, a 54-year-old Korean American woman, her husband, and daughter, along with Park’s wife, marked one of Houston’s most tragic domestic violence-related mass shootings.
